Chris King political committee brings in $154K in July

Winter Park businessman Chris King will report $154,000 in contributions to his gubernatorial run in July, the campaign tells FloridaPolitics.com

King’s haul makes for nearly $2.4 million raised since he entered the race in April, and his operation said he has $1.7 million of that total on hand between his campaign account and his political committee, “Rise and Lead, Florida.”

“We’re gratified that despite being a political newcomer, Chris’s fresh vision and plans for a better day for Florida is drawing continued support,” said Omar Khan, senior adviser to the King campaign.

Khan also asserted that Democrats’ chances at taking back the governor’s mansion in 2018 hinge on the economy, adding that “Chris is the best candidate on either side to win that debate.”

“We’re excited that people are consistently and powerfully responding to Chris’s fresh ideas to build an economy that will produce better days ahead for Florida,” said King’s Finance Director, Stephanie McClung.

King is running in the Democratic Primary for governor with his major competition being former Congresswoman Gwen Graham and Tallahassee Mayor Andrew Gillum.

So far, Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam is the only major GOP candidate to enter the race, though he could be joined by Senate Appropriations Chair Jack Latvala as soon as next week.

Both Republicans have millions on hand in their political committees.

King currently has more in the bank than Gillum, who had raised a total of $1.3 million between his campaign and “Forward Florida” committee through the end of June, though Graham is still firmly in the lead among declared Democrats with more than $3 million in total fundraising through the end of July.

Unofficial reports for Forward Florida on the committee’s website show just one contribution for $10,000 in July. Gillum has yet to report his July fundraising numbers for his campaign account. Graham’s campaign announced Sunday that she had brought in another $350,000 between her two accounts last month.